NORMAL, Ill. – Head coach Caitlin Hamilton has announced the signings of eight student-athletes to the Illinois State swimming and diving team, including seven swimmers and one diver.
"Looking at this class as a whole, we are excited about the versatility, depth and diversity that they will bring the program," head coach Caitlin Hamilton said. "As we put this group together, we wanted to make an emphasis on bringing in athletes that could mix potential with making an immediate impact within the Missouri Valley Conference. Our team is hungry, and these new Redbirds match that energy. The future continues to be exciting for this team, and no doubt this class adds to that."
All eight signees will be eligible for competition beginning in the fall of 2022. See what Hamilton and Diving Coach Tori Lamp Wood have to say about the newest Redbirds below:
Giulia Basco (Italy) – Butterfly/Backstroke
Hamilton on Basco: "Coach Sean and I loved getting to know Giulia throughout the recruiting process. She brings a wealth of international racing experience and will elevate our level of competitiveness. We have been looking for an athlete like Giulia to add into the program and are excited to have her as a Redbird."
Delaney Boulden (Lee's Summit, Missouri) – Backstroke/Freestyle
Hamilton on Boulden: "Delaney's versatility was always something that stood out for her. She has worked over the last couple of years to add events to her repertoire, which will make an immediate impact from a depth aspect within the team. Delaney was a great fit into this class from the beginning and it'll be fun to watch her career progress."
Maya Burkstrand (Richfield, Minnesota) – Freestyle
Hamilton on Burkstrand: "I always love to recruit a freestyler that has range, and Maya has that. She fits into our goals both on the academic side and athletic side of the program which is exciting. Looking at Maya and her background, I think she has just scratched the surface of what she is capable of in the water. She will be another fun athlete to watch develop as a Redbird."
Ria Dietz (Seven Fields, Pennsylvania) – Backstroke
Hamilton on Dietz: "When Ria and her family came to Normal, I knew that ISU was going to be a great fit for her. She has a drive and a passion for her future that is easy to see. Ria is another athlete that will help add depth into the program and brings a lot to the table. We are lucky to have her."
Ashley Hodge (Canada) – Sprint Freestyle/Butterfly
Hamilton on Hodge: "Ashley is another athlete that brings a wealth of international racing experience to the team. Her commitment to her academic goals and athletic goals were obvious while we went through the recruiting process. Ashley is going to be another athlete that makes an immediate impact upon arrival."
Ronja Rundgren (Finland) – Diving
Lamp Wood on Rundgren: "It has been wonderful getting to know Ronja through the recruiting process. Her work ethic and personality will be a great fit here at ISU. She is bringing a wealth of international experience to our team and will make an immediate impact on and off the boards."
Ella Turken (Englewood, Colorado) – Sprint Freestyle
Hamilton on Turken: "Ella is a swimmer that we have seen continual improvement in her events throughout the recruitment process. She has an elite level of attention to details and commitment to her swimming that will go far for her. I think Ella has an incredible amount of potential and can't wait to see how she continues to progress."
Chloe Tyler (Sweet Home, Oregon) – Sprint Freestyle/Backstroke
Hamilton on Tyler: "As we began recruiting Chloe her overall athleticism really stood out to us. She has a drive and passion that no doubt will take her far. It's going to be exciting to see what she can accomplish as she continues to grow in the sport."
UP NEXT
Illinois State will be back in the pool from November 18-20 when they compete at the Purdue Invitational in West Lafayette, Indiana.
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